Improvement in machines for welding tubes



NNEIERS, PHOTGALIYHOGRAPHM, WASHINGTON. D C.

`3 and 5, and to taint ,sala

@anni @with WILLIAM o. ALLIsoN, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AsSIeNon ro W. c., ALLISoN a SoNs, or

SAME PLAGE.

Letters Patent No. 111,299, dated January 31, 1871.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters `Patent and making part of the same.

I, WILLIAM C. ALLIsoN, otrPhiladelphia, county riffhiladelpllia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Tube-Rolling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Description of thc Accompanying Drawing.

Figure l is a vertical section of my apparatus, torbe used in connection with tube-rolling machines;

Figure 2, an inverted plan view of part of iig. 1;*

Figure 3, a transverse vertical section onf the line l 2, ijg.,1;

Figure 4, a side view ofthe guiding-troughs; and

Figure 5, a transverse section, showing a modiiication of partof the apparatus.

General' Description.

skelp B passing through the grooves of the rolls over 'i the head at the end of the rod D, by which head the interior of the tube is formed, while its exterior is de termined` by the grooves of the rolls.

In front of the rolls I place a long trough, E, made in two parts, as shown in iig. 4, the trough being of the sectional form, best observed in reference to iigs. projections b b on the trough are jointedfthe arms F, which, projecting through the bottom of the trough, serve to support the rod D, so that itsl center shall coincide with a horizontal line drawn midway between the rolls A and A.' Y

Each of these arms vF fall to the inclined positibn shown by dotted lines in g. l, from which positionit can be elevated by a horizontal arm, H, hung to the under side' of the trough, as best observed in fig. 2.- v

These arms F are arranged at intervals throughout the trough, as are also rollers Gr G, the grooved peripheries of whiclrproject a short distance above the bottom of the trough, as shown in figs l and 3,

the rollers being attachedto spindles having bearings in projections on the under side of the trough, so that they are at liberty to turn freely.

A'circular block, (l, is fitted snugly to and concentrically with the rod D, and so as to slide freely on the same, the front end of this block being slightly less in diameter than the bore of the tube, for a purpose explained hereafter.

,After the arms have been elevaterh the block D is' so arranged that it can adjusted ou the rod D immediately at the rear lof the Y head 'ofv the rod, and the latter has been retained at the tube comes in contact with, and is penetrated a short distance by the block d, which is moved forward by the tube so that it will strike one support F aer the other, thereby clearing the way for the tube as it rapidly pursues its course.

After the tube has passed from between the rolls it rests on the rollers G G with the rod, the latter being'` quickly removed and'the finished tube drawn from the trough.

The slidingblock d is an important feature .of my invention. As before remarked, the front end penetrates the en d of the tube, and the latter, as it pursues its course, remains plugged, as it were, by a portion ofthe block, which thus maintains the tube concentrieally with the rod throughout its course, and

prevents the end from the sagging which frequently.

results in the distortion of the tube.-

The block, moreover',4 and not the tube, strikes the arms F and depresses the same, a duty which the heated tube cannot well perform Without being subjected to distortions.

One of the common accidents in tube-rolling mills arises from an imperfect weld as the tube first passes between the rolls. The result of this is that the imperfect tube will not follow the course of the rod D, but isY apt` to bend downward or laterally and take a tortuous course, to the danger of the` attendants and of `the machinery, the rapid mvement of which cannot be arrested in time to prevent such acci- It will be noticed, on reference to figs l and 2 that the end of the trough E is dared both downward and laterally, and by this flaring end the tube is arrested, when it has a tendency, :for the reasons given, to bend downward or laterally, and, once arrested, it will be guided by the flaring end of the trough along the same, audits movement will be facilitated by the roll- Not only are serious accidents thus prevented, but

the damaged tube, instead of being so bent and dis-i torted beyond remedy, is comparatively straight, and`- can be removed to the furnace and reheated preparatory to being again subjected to the action of the rolls for conversion into a sound tube.

It is advisable to have the arms F adjustable vertically to suit rods D of varying thickness.

In iig. 5 I have shown a` planof'so adjusting the ztriu,'which is connected to a pin 0n a. slide, m, adapted to guides iu :L hanger, b', secured to Jche under side of the trough, a set-screw, u, in the hanger serving to raise or lower lhs guide, :m11 consequently to adjust the arm F.

l. The sliding block al arranged on the rod D of ai 2. The trough E,l1a,ving a flaring end, 'adjoining the rolls7 and carrying rollers G, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have` signed my name to this specicat-ion in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses JOHN WHITE,

W. C. ALLISON. 

